Border Agents Seize Counterfeit Handbags Worth $14M - East Idaho News
Business & Money

Border Agents Seize Counterfeit Handbags Worth $14M

  Published at

162040790?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1362633076290Ben Pruchnie/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Customs and border patrol officers have intercepted some bogus bags that could have fetched a hefty price.  
 
They may look like high-end Hermes handbags, but customs agents at the Port of Los Angeles seized 1,500 fakes, bearing counterfeit Hermes tags.

Port Director Carlos Martel told ABC News the bogus bags came in two shipments from China. That’s where most of the goods seized by his agents are made, including knock off TVs, fake car parts, and phony perfume.  

Counterfeit seizures have jumped 142 percent since 2011.  

“Once again, this seizure demonstrates the high level of skill and vigilance of our officers in protecting the intellectual property rights of companies and individuals, as well as, preventing the proliferation of counterfeit luxury handbags, potentially damaging our national economy,” said Todd C. Owen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Office Los Angeles.

With an authentic Hermes bag being worth thousands of dollars, agents say this bust is worth up to $14 million on the street.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION